Lib Dem MP wins prestigious Animal Welfare award

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th Jun 2007

South East Region MP Mike Hancock, MP has won an award from the Animal Welfare Rights organisation - PETA Europe (People for the Ethical Treatment) as their "Most Progressive Politician". Each year PETA presents their Proggy Awards to, as they put it to "individuals and companies who are leaders in their fields when it comes to animal-friendly innovations." 2006 winners included companies such as Body Shop, Top Shop, Holland and Barrett and Nintendo for their "Nintendogs" game as the best animal-friendly video game.

PETA Europe has awarded Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock with their Proggy for 2007 as their "Most Progressive Politician" for "his fantastic commitment to animal protection issues, including his work with the abandoned animals of Lebanon and his support of PETA's campaign against real bearskin hats for the Queen's Guard."

Mike Hancock said:

"I am very pleased and proud to have been given this award by PETA. Throughout my Parliamentary and political career I have been committed to getting better treatment of animal. They can't speak up for themselves so it is important that we do so on their behalf as politicians and MPs. There is though still unfortunately too much cruel treatment of animals and if I can help, even a bit, to reduce that then I am pleased to have helped."